Parachute Regiment Commemorative Plate - 1989

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Edwardian Fine China

1989

Overview

Glossy bone china plate commemorating the annual reunion of the 151 BN and 156 BN Parachute Regiment at Melton Mowbray on 23-24 September 1989.
It has the logo of the Parachute Regiment in the centre - a parachute with pale blue wings either side. The edge of the plate has a gold border and the intermal writing is in a maroon colour. The battalion numbers are in black.
The maker's details are on the reverse of the plate.

Historical information

Information from Paradata, Airborne Assault website:

The 156 Parachute Battalion was the previous 151 Parachute Battalion (that formed in Delhi) changing its title in November 1942. It became part of the UK 4th Parachute Brigade at Kabrit in Egypt in 1943.

The Battalion trained in Palestine before joining the 4th Brigade in North Africa and Tunisia. It landed in Italy with the 1st Airborne Division in September 1943 and spearheaded the advance from Taranto to Bari. It left Italy in November to return to the UK to prepare for the invasion of Europe.

After the frustration of numerous cancelled operations between D-Day and Operation MARKET-GARDEN, it arrived with the second lift at Arnhem on 18 September 1944, landing under heavy fire. Blocked to the north-west of Arnhem and suffering heavy casualties during the withdrawal to the Oosterbeek perimeter, the battalion was virtually destroyed alongside the other units in the 1st Airborne Division. Only a few survivors escaped across the Lower Rhine.

The under-strength Battalion was disbanded shortly after the battle in September 1944.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00119

Item type

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 2